Excavator



, (No Model.) 1 4 sheets-sheen 1'.

f J. CABLE.

EXGAVATOR.

110.418.272. Patentsd Dec. 31, 1889.

"` will f, d, A. l y, Jau., l 1I 4 sheets-sheen s. J. CABLE.

EXGAVATOR. 4 ,A

Patented Deo. 31, 1889.

(NoModel.)

m0 Model.) "4 sheets-sheet 4.

J. CABLE. BXCAVATOR.

No. 418,272. Patented Deo. 31, 18.89.

n vains. Mmmm". wmnsm ma UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

JOI-IN CABLE, OF CABLE, MINNESOTA.

, Ex oAvAT o R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 418,272, dated December 31, 1889. Application flled February 15, 1889. Serial No. 299.926. (No model.)

.To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN CABLE, of Cable, in the county of Sherburne and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Excavators, of which the following; is a specilication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

One object of my invention is to provide an excavator which shall make the cut on a line outside the line of the frame of the machine on the side on which the plow is located, in order that a perpendicular or sloping bank may be formed, if necessary, when making a deep cut for the purpose of forming a roadway or other analogous purpose.

Another object of my invent-ion is to convey the dirt loosened by the plow either to a conveyer mounted on wheels, which can be attached to one side of the excavator and moved with it, or else, by means of additional carrying-belts, to discharge it on one side ofv broken away, showing the additional carrying-belts attached. Fig. 3 is an elevation taken on the side to which the plow is attached. Fig. 4. is a section showing the carrying-belt and wheels. Figs. 5, G, and 7 are details on an enlarged scale. Fig. Sis a plan of the plow and its attachments. Figs. 9, l0, ll, l2, 13, and ltare detached details.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

The main frame of the machine consists of the longitudinal beams A, A', and A2 and the cross-beams B, B', B2, B2, and B4, the latter being firmly secured to the former by bolts or otherwise. The beam A' extends rearwardly only as far as the cross-beams B3 B4, a clear space being thus left between the beams A and A2 for parts of the operating mechanism, to be hereinafter described. A platform A3 is secured to the upper sides of the beamsA and A2. The beam A2 is shorter than the beam A, extending' forward only a short distance beyond the beams B' B2. It-s forward y end is connected by means of a bent iron on the wheels C C, a suitable bolster c and a fifth-wheel o' being interposed between the underside of the beam B and the axle C', the several parts being connected by means of a bolt C2, which passes through them and forms a pivot, on which the axle C revolves in a horizontal plane. The wheels C C are of a size enabling them to pass freely under the frame of the machine.

The rear end of the machine is supported on the wheels D D. Suitable bolsters d are secured to the under sides of the beams A and A2, and to these bolsters are attached the boxes d', in which the axle D' revolves. Each of the Wheels D is loosely mounted on the axle, outsidethe frameof the machine. The outer ends of the hubs of the wheelsD are provided with ratchet-teeth d2. l

E E are caps which fit over the outer ends of. the hubs, and inside of each of these caps spring-pawls e are pivoted, which engage with the teeth on the hub of the wheel, and thus cause the cap to rotate with the wheels when the machine is moving forward. The caps E, being keyed to the axle D', will also cause it to revolve with them. The wheels D being,

however, loosely mounted on the axle, if the machine is moved backward the pawl e will slip over the ratchet-teeth and the caps E and axle D will not revolve.

F is a `bevel gearfwheel keyed to the axle D.

To the underside of the beam B4 is bolted a casting G, having two downwa1 illyprojecting sides g g', the side g serving as a bearing for one end of a shaft G' ,the other end of which has a bearing in a casting g2, loosely mounted on the axle D', the said casting being held in position by means ofthe collar g2, secured on the axle D' by means of a set-screw. On the shaft G' a bevelgear G2 is keyed and meshes with the bevel-gear F on the axle D'.

` The Oear G2 carries a s rocket-wheel G3, which may be cast integral with or keyed to it.

To the beam A2 are bolted the uprights I-I H', extending above and below the beam A2, on the inner sides of" which the plates h 71.

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are pvotally attached. These plates proj ect upward from the pivotal point and form bearings for the shaft 71.2 of the roller H2. The shaft h2 extends beyond the upright H, and carries a sprocket-wheel H3 and a gear-wheel H4. To the upper ends of the uprights H H are bolted the boxes in which the shaft 2 revolves, the latter being held longitudinally in position by means of the collars 4. On the shaft 2 are keyed the sprocket-wheels I, I', and I2. A sprocket-chain J passes over the wheels I2, H3, and G3, a tension -wheel I4, mounted in self-adjusting spring-bearings I5, bolted to the beam A2, being` interposed between the sprocket-wheels H3 and G2. The object of these self-adjusting spring-bearings will be explained hereinafter. It will be seen that motion is thus transmitted from the axle D to the shafts 7t2 and 2, and thereby to the roller H2 and the sprocket-wheels I I.

The main belt-carrying frame consists of the side rails K K secured near their upper ends to the plates 7i h', and thereby pivotally connected to the uprights H H. The upper ends of the rails project beyond the uprghts H H. The rails are bent, as shown, (being S-shaped in longitudinal outline,) and ex-A tend transversely across the frame of the machine, their lower ends reaching toa point somewhat beyond the Vertical line of the frame. The lower ends of the rails are vertically adjustable by means of the chains 7c 7c, leading upward from them to a shaft 7c', mounted in suitable bearings on the rails 7a2 7a2, the said rails being secured to the beam A and the tops of the uprights H H. As the pivotal point of the plates 71 7 are below the rails K K', when the lower ends of said rails v are raised, the belt-carrying frame will have an outward movement at the top and the lower ends can be lifted in a true vert-ical line. The spring-bearing I5 of the tensionwheel I4 will allow the chain .I to adjust itself to this movement. The rails K K are bent outwardly near their upper and lower ends, as shown at 7a2 71:3 and 7a4 7a4. At the upper end of the rails K K is journaled a shaft M,v

carrying a roller m. The shaft extends at each end beyond the rails and carries at one end a gear wheel m', which meshes with the gear-wheel H4 on the shaft h2, thereby im part'- ing motion to the roller m. On the other end of the shaft M a sprocket-wheel m2 is keyed, for a purpose hereinafter stated. Another roller mi is journaled in movable boxes m4, working in slots m5 in the rails K K. Short rods m are attached to the movable boxes m4 and` pass through studs m7 on each rail, and a coiled spring m8 surrounds each `rod between the studs and boxes. By this arrangement the roller m2 is pushed toward the roller H2, for a purpose hereinafter explained. To the lower ends of the rails K K a plate L is secured extending across and beneath them from theirends back to the bends 7a4 7.34. The ends of the plate L are turned up on the outside of the rails, au d provided with upward extensions Z Z, to which boxes Z Z are secured in any suitable manner, the boxes receiving the ends of the shaft of the roller L. The plate L is provided on each side with a lug L2, in which the set-screws L4 L4 are pivoted. These screws work in lugs Z6 7, secured to the sides of the rails K K. By this means the plate L and roller L are adjustable with reference to the rails K K and thus the tension of the belt may be regulated. Just to the rear of the bends 7a4 7a4 another roller L2 is located. One end of this roller has a fixed bearing in the rail K, and the other end has a bearing in the box 72, which is adjustable in the slot Z3 by means of a set-screw Z4, working in the lug Z5, the latter being secured to the side of the rail K. The object of making this roller adjustable at one end only is to steer the belt, as in practice it is found thata wide belt has a tendency to run either to the right or left. As many rollers as may be necessary to support the belt will be interposed between the rollers L2 and m2 and have their bearings in the rails K K.

N is the belt which passes around the end rollers L and m. It passes over the roller H2 and then under the roller'm3, and as the roller m2 is pushed toward the roller H2 the belt will be gripped between the tworollers and thus receive a positivemotion. By this arrangement I am not dependenton the tension of the belt forits motion; hence it is not necessary to keep it too taut and the belt will therefore last much longer. The beltN is of a width equal to the length of the end rollers L and m and projects slightly over the outer edges of the rails K and K between the bends k3 and 7a4. This prevents the falling of dirt between the side rails K K and the clogging of the rollers. To each side of `the rails K K are secured the metal supports 0c x, which extend upward above the belt and are bent over inwardly, the bent-over portions supporting the side fenders y y, which prevent, in a large measure, the dirt from falling off the sides of the belt.

O O are bars loosely7 mounted at their up# per ends on the shaft 2 on the inner sides of the sprocket-wheels I I being held in position by the collars o o, the latter being provided with set-screws. These bars O O extend downward above the belt N, and in their lower ends a shaft o is journaled. This shaft projects outwardly beyond the bars O O, and to its ends are keyed the sprocket-wheels 02 02. Chains 04 o4 lead over the sprocket-wheels I I and 02 03, carrying scrapers 05, which work in between the side fenders y y. The bars O O are of such a length that the scrapers rst come in contact with the belty at the point where its perpendicular ascent begins to be abrupt. The weight of the bars O O, the sprocket wheels 02 02, and the chains and scrapers will keep the scrapersin contact with the belt, and, when the machine is operated, as the belt N and the scrapers 05 receive uniform motion through the medium IOO IIC

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2O ends resting on the rails K K.

2 5 late on the roller.

6o screws i pass into the part 2.

65 operating in different soils.

of the sprocket-wheels 12 and H3, which are of the same dimensions, the belt and scrapers will travel at a uniform speed, and all the scrapers will in turn come in contact with the beltand assist ,in carrying the dirt up the inoline without scraping over Vthe belt, which would have a tendency to wear it out. rlhe bars O O are held in a fixed position laterally at their lower ends by means of the col- 1o lars oi o6 on the shaft o', and' are also suitably braced by the rod 07, extending across from one to the other about midway of their length.

To the rails K K', near their lower ends,

r 5 lugs 71:5 h5 are secured in any suitable manner, and to these lugs an open-ended trough k6 is secured by means of setscrews k7. This trough extends across the belt and within it immediately in the rear of the roller L, its The side of the trough next the roller L" is bent over toward the roller and comes in contact with it, thus forming a scraper 708, for the purpose of scraping off any dirt that may accumu- The dirt will fall into the trough, from whence it maybe removed at pleasure.

P is the plow, `provided with a vertical shank P. This shank is securely bolted to 3o the beam`P2, and extends slightly above it.'

From the upper end of the shank P a draftchain P3 leads to the lower end of a standard P, firmly bolted to the beams A and B. The chain P3 is provided in its length with a 3 5 spring compensating device P2, its object being to relieve the shock on the machine shou ld the plow meet with an obstruction. The beamv P2 is laterally connected to the frame of the machine by means of the rod P5 and bar P6.

4o The rod P5 is loosely connected at one end to the side g of the casting G,in such a manner that it can swing either vertically or laterally, and its other end passes loosely through a lug p on the beam P2. This end is screwthreaded to receive a nut p', and the beam low the said bar to swing laterally, and its other end is pivoted by means of a pin p4 to a bracket p5, bolted to the under side of the beam B2, so as to allow the bar Pb. to swing vertically. This end of the bar is provided 5 5 with several holes, as shown, so that the beam P2 may be adjusted laterally with reference to the frame of the machine. The bar P( consists of two parts l and 2, the part l being provided with slots 3, through which the set- The object of having the bar P5 in two parts and connecting them together, as, shown, is to cant the plowbeam and plow in either direction out of a vertical line, this being found necessary in The beam and plow are so arranged as to allow the moldboard of the plow to just clear the lower end a chain p7 leads over a pulley p8, mounted on the top of the standard P4, thence rearwardly to a shaft p", having bearings in two plates Q Q, bolted to the beam A, one on each side thereof. The shaft p9 is provided with a crank and a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism in the ordinary manner. A strap q is rrnly secured to the plates Q Q', and in the ends thereof is mounted a shaft q, on which a chain q2, leading from the rear end of the beam P2, is adapted to be wound. The shaft q is provided with a hand wheel iand a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism of ordinary construction. To the extension of the moldboard of the plow is hinged an extension Q4, the outer end of which is connected by means of a folding brace g4 to the mold board. Then the machine is in operation, this extension forms a continuation of the mold-board, and assists in throwing the dirt onto the belt, and also prevents it fromA falling off. Vilhen the machine is not in operation, the extension can be swung around in the rear of the moldboard, as shown in Fig. 8. A caster-wheel Q2 is pivoted to the forward end of the beam P2 to equalize the depth of the furrow. A rolling cutter Q3 is also pivoted on the beam P2,

labout on a line with the point of the plow shown. The periphery of the caster-wheel Q2 is made convex, for the purpose of enabling it t0 ride up the edge of a furrow with greater facility than it would do if it were. flat or coucave.

lVhen it is desired to load the dirt into a wheeled conveyer, the conveyer is brought alongside the excavator and immediately under the top end of the belt-carrying frame.

R'represents a conveyer, which may be of any approved construction. It is held to the machine by means of the chain r, adapted to be wound on the shaft r', mounted in suitable supports R', bolted to the cross-beams B B2, as shown. The shaft r is provided with a crank-handle and ratchet-and-pawl mechanism in the ordinary manner. The plate R2, bolted to the lower portions of the uprights l-I Il', will serve as a guard and prevent the conveyer from running into the frame or otherwise injuring the machine. l/Vhen, however, itis desired to carry the dirt oif to one side of the cut, the brackets S S are bolted to the uprights l1 H', their outer ends heilig provided with openings s s, into which the boxess s2 itloosely. These boxes arefirmly secured to the lower ends ofthe rails S S', and serve as a bearing forthe shaft s2, carrying the roller S2. One end of the shaft s2 projects beyond the`box s and carries a sprocket-wheel S3. A chain s passes over the sprocket-wheels S3 and m2, and thereby transmits motion to the roller S2.V As many rollers as may be'necessary to support the belt S4 are journaled in the rails S S. The

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upper ends of the rails S' S' are supported by means of chains or ropes S5 $5, which lead from them to a shaft S5, mounted in suitable bearings on the rails k2 7a2, and on which they are adapted to be wound, ythe shaft S5 being provided with a crank-arm and ratchet-and- -pawl mechanism of ordinary construction.

To the upper ends of the rails S' S' are bolted the bent iron bars T T, one arm t projecting below the rails S' S', and the other arm t' above. In the arms t another beltcarrying frame T' is pivoted, its outer end being supported by chains or ropes t2, leading therefrom over pulleys f3, mounted on the arms t', to a shaft t4, journaled in the rails S' S'. rlhe frame T' carries the belt T2, which receives motion through the medium of the sprocket-wheels T3 and T4 and the sprocketchain T5. When not required for use, the frame T' and its belt can be folded under the rails S' S', and heldin that position by means of the hooks t5. When these supplemental belts are used, I also use an extension for the axle D', as shown in Fig. 2. It consists of a sleeve or collar U, adapted to fit on the axle D', and to be secured thereto by means of a set-screw u. A rod U', of the same diameter as the axle D', is rigidly attached to the collar, and on this rod U', the draft-Wheel is placed in the same manner as on the axle. The object of using this extension is to keep the center of gravity within the base of the machine.

As an additional means for preventing the machine from upsetting, and also to relieve the strain on the frame, caused by the preponderance of weight on the side carrying the supplemental belts, I secure a bar V to the end of the cross-beam B remote from the plow side, the lower end of said bar being bent inwardly, as shown at o. This bent-in portion is adapted to come in contact with a friction-wheel V', mounted on the end of the axle C', and thus throw the weight on the front wheel adjacent to the friction-wheel, and so relieve the strain on the frame.

V2 is a step or platform for the operator to stand on when connecting or disconnecting the conveyer to or vfrom the machine.

Having described my invention, I claiml. In an excavator', the combination, with the main frame and the carrying-belt running transversely thereof, of a horizontal plowbeam, a plow attached thereto immediately in front of the belt, a rod and bar connecting the plow-beam to the frame, so as to allow the beam to swing laterally or vertically, a draftchain connecting the plow-shank to the main frame, chains leading from the front and rear ends of the plow-beam, and shafts mounted on said frame, on which the chains are wound, substantially as specified.

2.' In an excavator, the combination, with y the main frame, of a horizontal plow-beam, a

spring compensating device within the length of the chain, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the main frame and the uprights secured thereto, of plates pivoted on the uprights, a roller having bearings in said plates, a belt-carrying frame connected at its upper end to said plates, a roller mounted in said belt-frame and held by springs against the roller mounted in the plates, and a belt supported by the belt-frame and passing between the two rollers, so as to be gripped thereby, substantially as specified.

fi. The combination, with the excavator and the supplemental carrying-belt and its frame, of an extension fitted on one end of the rear axle, said extension consisting of a collar fitting on the axle and secured thereto by a set-screw, and a rod of the same diameter as the axle rigidly attached to said collar and carrying one of the rear wheels, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In an excavator, the combination, with the main frame and the supplemental carrying-belt and its frame, of an extension iitted on one end of the rear axle of the excavator and carrying one of the rear wheels, a friction-wheel mounted on one end of the front axle, and a bent bar attached to the front of the main frame and adapted to engage with the friction-wheel, substantially as specified.

6. In an excavator, the combination, with the side rails of the beltcarrying frame and the belt supported thereby, of an adjustable plate fitting over the ends of said rails, and a roller journaled in the adjustable plate, whereby the tension of the belt is regulated, substantially as specified.

7. In an excavator, the combination, with the side rails of the belt-carrying frame and the belt supported thereby, of a roller having a fixed bearing in one of the side rails and an adjustable bearing in the other side rail, whereby the travel-of the belt can be maintained in a true line over the frame, substantially as specified.

8. The combination, with the main frame, the plow-beam, and the plow secured thereto, of a bar connecting the plow-beam to the main frame laterally and adj ustably, said bar consisting of two parts connected together by 'means of set-screws, one part having slots in which the set-screws work, whereby the plowbeam and plow can be canted out of the vertical line, substantially as specified.

9. In an excavator, the combination, with the plow-beam and the plow secured thereto, of an extension hinged at one end to the moldboard of `the plow, and a folding brace connecting the other end of the extension to the mold-board, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.

JOHN CABLE. [L s.]

Witnesses:

E. CRUsE, C. B. THOMPSON.

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